Swimming device



Feb. .22, 1938. MALM 2,109,429

SWIMMING DEVI CE Filed NOV. 20, 1936 INVENTOR @186)! m% I ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWIMMING DEVICE Axel Sigfrid Malm, West Hartford, Conn. Application November 20, 1936, Serial No. 111,939

1 Claim.

This invention relates to swimming devices, and its general object is to provide a device in the form of a fiat plate or paddle for each hand of the user to be gripped thereby for positioning the same in a manner to set up maximum resistance, against the water, during the swimming stroke, thereby materially increasing the speed of the swimmer with minimum effort, as well as to aid beginners in the art of swimming, in that the devices have a tendency to keep the user afloat or on the surface.

A further object is to provide a swimming device that includes means whereby it can be readily gripped for holding the same in proper and comfortable position for use, and it can be easily applied and removed, but casual removal or displacement is practically impossible.

Another object of the invention is to provide a swimming device of the character set forth, that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely efficient in use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating my devices in use.

35 Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail and particularly to Figure 2, it will be noted that my swimming device includes essentially a relatively wide fiat body I, in the form of a plate or paddle, and which is substantially oval shape in outline, but is provided with straight parallel sides 2 and rounded ends 3. The body may be formed from 45 any material, but of course must be light in weight, and is preferably made from wood or Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device per se.

other like material which will float, as will be apparent.

Arranged transversely of the body slightly forwardly of the center thereof is a slot 4 having rounded ends, and rearwardly of the slot 4 is a substantially oval shaped opening 5 that is approximately the same length as the slot 4, and is preferably twice the width thereof. In any event the opening 5 is larger than the slot 4 in that the opening is to receive the hand of the user, while the slot 4 receives the fingers, as shown in Figure 1. The walls of the slot and opening are preferably rounded as shown in Figure 3, in order to add to the comfort of the device, and the material between the slot 4 and opening 5 provides a handle which is indicated by the reference numeral 6.

While only one of the devices is shown, it will be obvious that they are used in pairs, one for each hand, and in applying the same, the hand is passed through the opening 5, and the fingers 0 through the slot 4, so that the user can grip the handle 6. When so applied, the device is positioned at an inclination or angle with respect to the hand, with the rear edge of the opening 5 resting upon the back of the hand as clearly shown in Figure 1.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understoodthat changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A swimming device comprising a relatively wide fiat body substantially oval shape in outline and having rounded ends and straight sides, said body having a transversely disposed elongated hand receiving opening disposed therein on one side of the transverse center thereof, and a slot on the opposite side to receive the fingers of said hand, said opening and slot being disposed parallel with respect to each other and in close proximity to provide a gripping handle between the same.

AXEL SIGFRID MALM. 

